The Victorian Government is strengthening food relief services across the state ensuring healthy food reaches Victorians in need.

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan today launched the Government’s new $5 million Community Food Relief Fund – supporting local community organisations supplying food to Victorians in need.

One-off grants of up to $75,000 are available to assist community food relief organisations with a range of challenges due to increased demand.

Funding may be used to purchase infrastructure, such as refrigerated vans or updated IT and management software, develop innovative food relief delivery models, support COVID safe practices or to attract new volunteers to support the delivery of food programs.

The grants are open to all Victorian community food relief organisations, including those in partnership with local councils.

The $5 million Community Food Relief Fund is part of the recently announced $11.3 million investment to boost food relief activities for vulnerable Victorians.

The package builds on $7.4 million already announced earlier this year to expand food relief operations and deliver more free and nutritious meals, which is creating 119 new food relief jobs.

For more information or to apply for one of the grants, visit dhhs.vic.gov.au/community-inclusion-and-food-relief-coronavirus-covid-19 .